Donald Zackary Greinke (born October 21, 1983) is a Major League Baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Kansas City Royals (MLB).
Greinke began his career with the Kansas City Royals before moving on to the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Houston Astros.
Greinke was drafted by the Royals in the first round with the sixth pick in the 2002 MLB draft after winning the Gatorade National Player of the Year Award as a high school senior.
He made his MLB debut in 2004 after spending time in the minor levels. His problems with depression and anxiety in 2005 and 2006 nearly destroyed his career, and he missed the majority of the 2006 season.
Greinke was called up to the major leagues on May 22, 2004, and made his major league debut against the Oakland Athletics, allowing two runs in five innings.
At 20 years old, he was the youngest player in the majors and came close to picking up the win, but the team’s closer, Jeremy Affeldt, gave up the lead with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Greinke recorded his first career win on June 8, when he pitched seven scoreless innings against the Montreal Expos. In 24 starts, Greinke finished the 2004 year with an 8–11 record and a 3.97 ERA.